Virginia Toy Library Offers An Eco-Friendly Solution To A Common Problem

Imagine shelves overflowing with toys for all ages and interests, but not for sale—for borrowing.

This is the idea behind The Toy Nest, a toy library founded by Lisa Bourven in Falls Church, Virginia.

"We needed toys to play with for a two-week stretch," Bourven said, recalling a frustrating family trip. "We ended up going to a thrift store...but we got them back home, and they didn’t work. I just wished that we could find things to borrow from other people."

Her solution: a membership-based toy library where families can save money, reduce waste, and enjoy a variety of toys.

"They change so fast when they're babies," said member Christina Lay. "Every two, three months, they’re into something different."

Toy libraries trace their roots to the Great Depression, Bourven explained, when they were funded by the U.S. government under the New Deal to provide play opportunities for children.

Today, The Toy Nest is not just about toys but also community.

"It’s a nice place for us to gather and connect," said member Cady Jardine. "A nice place to just switch and swap and be sustainable."

Bourven sees toy libraries as a solution for modern families. "I think toy libraries solve many, many problems at once—for the planet, for families, and kids," she said.

She hopes the concept inspires a nationwide movement toward toy sharing.